The genetically engineered mouse models of pancreatic cancer, such as the LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53R172H/+; Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) mice52, 53, can generate the dense desmoplasia, which defines pancreatic cancer and affects its most important pharmacological features52, 54. Here, PDX1 is linked to familial pancreatic carcinoma.